Cucumber Mint Infused Water {with or without lime}

Delicately flavored Cucumber Mint Infused Water (with or without lime) is a refreshing drink to keep you cool and hydrated all summer long!

Summer has officially arrived, and Texas has suddenly decided to embrace the turning of the seasons. After an unseasonably mild intro to June (thanks, monsoon season), we have now reached our normal summer temps, hovering close to 100°F. And this summer, more than ever before, I have been craving ice cold water!

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a terrible water drinker. I typically drink a cup of coffee when I wake up, and then I get busy and sometimes forget to drink anything else until dinnertime, when I realize I’m strangely thirsty. Awful, I know. Even when I remember to drink water, I don’t particularly like it and I know I don’t drink nearly enough. Water is just so…plain. And dare I say boring? So since I try not to make a habit of sipping on soft drinks or juices or sweetened teas throughout the day, I often end up drinking not much at all.

Enter the recent popularity of flavored sparkling water. I have to say that I’ve been intrigued by its availability and myriad of yummy flavors, and I occasionally have one and enjoy it. However, seeing as how too much carbonation makes me feel bloated, plus I hesitate to drink from BPA-lined cans all day/every day, flavored sparkling water doesn’t exactly resolve my need-to-drink-more-water dilemma. But I’ve discovered that infused water does!

That’s right, folks…admittedly late to the bandwagon, I can now say with certainty that I love water that’s been infused with fruit and/or herbs! It’s refreshing. It’s quick, easy, and inexpensive to make. And it has enough flavor to encourage me to drink far more water than I would if it were plain.

I’ve tried several flavors already this summer, from melon to berries to pineapple, both with and without herbs. But my favorite combo so far is this Cucumber Mint Infused Water with Lime, which was inspired by a recent anniversary trip that my husband I took. As soon as we arrived at the resort and got out of the car a couple of weekends ago, the bellman offered us cool glasses of Cucumber Mint Water to enjoy while we checked in. And boy did it hit the spot (and alleviate my twinge of motion sickness) after spending all morning on a plane and in a car.

Once we got home from our trip, I used some of my in-laws’ overabundant garden cucumbers to recreate a pitcher of Cucumber Mint Water for the kids. The threenager wasn’t a fan (though that’s not saying a lot, seeing as how she’s not a fan of much these days), but my boys loved it. They asked if I could add lime next time, since they’re fond of squeezing fresh lime juice in their water just like their Daddy. So the next day, I threw a few slices of lime in with the cucumber slices and mint sprigs, which indeed added a nice zing. However, I quickly learned that the lime will start to turn the water bitter if it infuses too long, so be sure to remove it if the pitcher of water is going to last more than 6 to 8 hours. I still think I prefer my Cucumber Mint Infused Water without lime for a cleaner taste, but I’ve been alternating both ways and everyone has been happy.

I realize that the health and metabolism-boosting benefits of infused water have been debated, but for me, it comes down to the fact that infusing water with flavor simply encourages my family to drink more of it. And speaking (typing?) as someone who’s chronically dehydrated, that’s always a good thing. So have fun, experiment with your favorite add-ins, stay cool, and drink up this summer!

Cucumber Mint Infused Water {with or without lime} Recipe

Cucumber Mint Infused Water with Lime

Yield: 10 to 12 (8-ounce) servings

Delicately flavored Cucumber Mint Infused Water with Lime is a refreshing drink to keep you cool and hydrated all summer long!

Ingredients

1 small cucumber (or half of a medium cucumber), scrubbed & sliced

2 sprigs fresh mint, washed & bruised

1/2 lime, scrubbed & sliced (optional)

10 to 12 cups cool filtered water

Instructions

Place sliced cucumber, mint sprigs, and lime slices (if using) in a large pitcher. Pour water into the pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for anywhere from 1 to 8 hours (the longer you infuse the water, the stronger the flavor will become). Strain the water into a glass and serve chilled with a slice of cucumber for garnish, if desired.

Notes

When making infused water, I prefer to use well-washed, organic ingredients, so as to avoid any potential pesticides infusing into my water.

If your pitcher of water is going to last more than a day, I recommend removing the lime slices after 6 to 8 hours to prevent the water from turning bitter.

In order to enjoy Cucumber Mint Infused Water without the wait, put a few slices of cucumber, a few mint leaves, a thin slice of lime, and a few ice cubes in a bottle or jar. Fill the bottle/jar with water, seal, shake, and enjoy immediately.

5.0.12

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Hey Samantha! I’m going to make your recipe for a class I’m teaching on Monday…. FYI if you PEEL that lime or just squeeze it in, not so bitter. Bitterness is mostly in the peeling – same with lemon if left in water too long. Love adding mint idea! THANKS!!!!

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Hi, I’m Samantha . . .

a busy wife and tired mama of two energetic boys and a sweet little girl living in Texas. I love cooking, writing, eating queso, watching college football, and taking way too many pics of my kids. In my “spare” time, I run this food blog and I wrote a cookbook. The days are crazy but the love is plenty between the five hearts that make up our home! (click for more)